Linking machine



Feb. 13, 1923.

A. A. FETTE.

LINKING MACHINE.

FlLED APR. 19. 1920.

I SHEETS-SHEET l.

Even/tor Q (7% p i Attorney.

Feb. 13, 1923.

1,444,868. A. A. FETTE.

LINKING MACHINE.

FILED APR 19, 1920. I SHEETS-SHEET z.

Fig". 3. 5

AZ torn/ey.

Feb. 13, 1923.

1,444,868. A. A. FETTE.

LINKING MACHINE.

FILED APII. I9. 1920. I SHEETS-SHEET 3.

Fig. 6

I 4M 4 1 I 430 g 100 449 m I 94 I I A 0 O a; I 97 42 473 3 199601 74 75 4 409 V I I 4 I 74 w z i x r I g a 9 f l6 4 4 44 6 57 4a \JW 5 Z9 Z1 Z0 Z0 6 a I 57 i j .60 Q IQ Z 55 V fizzlenfor Attorney A. A. FETTE.

LINKING MAGHiNE.

FILED APflplQ, 1920.

Feb. 13, 1923.

T SHEETS---SHEET 4.

Zhveentor p At orney.

7 SHEETSSHEET 5- A. A. FETTE LINKING MACHINE.

FILED APfl.l9.1920.

Feb. 13, 1923.

Dave for By p A a tarnay.

Feb. 13, 1923.

A. A. FETTE.

LINKING MACHINE.

mu) APR. \9, [920.

7 SHEETSSHEET 6.

y a M a y 4 4 M B 4 ada Feb. 13, 1923. 1,444,868. A. A. FETTE.

UNKING MACHINE.

FILED APR. 19. I920. r SHEETS-SHEET 1- FL .20 1. d 5 3 122g: 22. my. 23.

fnwentor Patented Feb. 13, 1923.

UNITED STATES ANTHONY .A. FETTE, OF CINCINNATI, OHIO.

LINKING MACHINE.

Application filed April 19, 1920. Serial No. 375,074.

fl 0 all whom "it may concern.

Be it known that I, ANTHONY A. Farm. a citizen of the United States, residing at Cincinnati, in the county of Hamilton and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Linking Machines. of which the following is a specification.

lily invention relates to leather manufaw tures and link assembling; and the objects of my improvement are to provide for more rapid assembly of leather or other flexible links of belts used as apparel or for other purposes. or of other articles of similar manufacture, to provide for such operation on links of various sizes and designs by simple adjustments or alterations. and to facilitate the supply of the links to the machine, and in general minimize the flfll 'fl tion required to be given to the link-assembling operations. Other objects will appear in the course of the ensuing description.

l attain these objects by the apparatus illustrated, for example. in the accompanying' drawings, in which Figure 1 is a rear elevation of the ma-' chine, parts only of the supporting structure or bed being shown;

Fig. 2 is a vertical cross-section on a plane corresponding to the line 22 of Fig. 1;

Fig. :1 is a horizontal cross-section on a plane corrcs 'ionding to the line 33 of F in. 1;

Fig. l is a detail side elevation of the jawopening mechanism;

Fig. 5 is a detail front elevation of the same;

Fig. 6 is an enlarged vertical longitudinal section of part of the machine, on a plane corresponding to the line 66 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 7 is a further enlarged detail side elevation of the instrument for inserting a billet int the machine to begin making a belt:

Fig. is partial section corresponding to Fig t7, showing a stage of operation more advanced than that shown in Fig. 6. the scale being that of Fig. 7:

Fig. 3) is a similar view showing; a furthcr stage of the operation;

Fig. it) is a sectional plan view of these parts of the machine at the stage of operation shown in Fig. 9, the section being on a plane corresponding to the line 10-10 of that figure;

Figs. 11, 12 and 13 are views similar to Figs. 8 and 9, showing still further stages of the operation;

Fig. 14 is a sectional plan view of a modified link-supply device, the section being on ii plane corresponding to the line 14-14 of Fig. 15 is a vertical lengthwise section of the same, on a plane corresponding to the line 15-45 of Fig. 14;

Fig. 16 is a detail plan or pattern of the link for which the machine is shown as adjusted in all of the preceding illustrations;

Fig. 17 is a similar View of a length of belt or chain made from such links;

Figs. 18 and 19, 20 and 21, 22 and 23, and 24 and 25 are respectively in each instance. views similar t Figs. 16 and 17, of modified links for the assembly of which the ma chine is capable of adjustment, and of lengths of belts or chains made from the links; and

Fig. 26 is a detail plan View of a double gripper for operating upon the link of F igs. 24 and 25.

The machine comprises a bed-plate 1, which may have suitable legs 2, parts of which are shown in F ig'. l, or other means by which it may be suitably supported on a floor or a bench. This bed-plate 1 is of comparatively long and narrow rectangular shape, and some distance to the left from its right-hand end it has on its bottom depending hearings 3 and 4. near the front edge and near the middle of the plate, respectively, in front-to-rear alinement. A shaft 5 is journaled in these bearings 3 and 4. with a projection forwardly of the front bearing having fixed thereon the handwheel 6 with a crank handle 7. This shaft 5 also has a projection to the rear of the rear bear ing, on which projection are fixed an eccentric 8. next to the rear bearing 4, a, cam 9 to the rear of the eccentric 8. and. at the rear end of the shaft. a crank 10. A collar 5' fixed on the shaft 5 in front of the front bearing 3 acts together with the eccentric 9 against the rear heal-111514, to prevent undue end play of the shaft 5.

'lhe bed-plate '1 has a wide lengthwise slot 11 near its right-hand end, and to the left, a narrower lengthwise slot 12. and bet ween these, fixed in a suitable opening. is an upright post or standard 13, extending above and below the plate for considerable distanees. The primary feeder comprises the magazine 14, a rectangular box-like element,

'th rout after slidable along the slot 11 extending above and below the plate 1 and held down with ledges 15 hearing on the late top, by eleats l6 against the plate ho tonrsuiface. The horizontal vross-section of the magngiine interior is ronformed to the pattern 6? the link to he operated upon; the lipke thereaoross in a pile. A follower 17 of tie same pattern extends 3431'QS 11 1111 1 he pi e en has stems 18 depending into efilfiislg tuhes 1 9 fixed in end depending from the negezine bottom and having cops 20 on t b l! l we ends vonfining co l springs 21 wiinfit the follower bottom, around the respective stems 18.

When slid to the 1211.. the l it end f the magazine ll is against the sita n dztrd and this standard 15 has .a verti al sl t h oug it from right to left, f om lik top of the standard down to shortly be mvth P edg of this magazine end. Below that. the standard 13 is fi Qttfld partly throug t lower end, making it channeled, on its le hml. side.

An intermediiite feeder 2}, which wil b described later, extends across the 01) o th magazine 14, wa ering themejor right-hand part of its open top 'when the magazine is slid against the standard 13 as just deserihed; this intermediate feeder 22 being fixed to the lied-plate 1 on opposite blocks 23 (Fig. 10). Sliding the magazine let to the right brings it out troen under this inter mediate feeder 22, for putting the link- 1 into the magazine; and when slid thereunder, the intermediate feeder holds the links down in. the magazine, as pressed up by the springs 21.

It is: the purpose of the immhine to suecessively withdraw the links ofi the oile in the magazine in their initial posture, whieh, as here shown, is horizontal, through precenl ing links projected, directly from that initial posture 0% those preeeding links, up from the slot or throat of the standard 13, in the through slot of said. standard; and to successively feed the links down thnough the the preceding links ha e thus been drawn thmugh or into them, the inn-down oneraiion causing dzouhlingrufi of the link just drown in, nearly tor the next succeeding link to be drawn thtmmgli doubled-up link. The maehine thus 040m prises, broadly, two iwds at substantially right-angles to each other. i. e.. one, by a lengthwise feeder, from right to left, and the I. flier. lay a cross-feeding means, downward, as heiein shown: and {as shown also, the shaft is is adapted to drine the mechanisms for etfeeting we deeds, as well as cert di tain parts to eoaet and in the operations.

The moss-feeding mm e? 7 :7 a feed-bar 24 with a corrugated face 25 in the throat 26 formed by the atoredesrrihed channel or slot in the standard 13. The (orru git ions 25 are formed by diagonal, grooves at'right angles which 1 find do not mar the l l'l lml lgl. This teed-bar 2 1 has parallel upright grooves 27 in its tau, :1 nd has the mid- :ille port 28 of this fauvut away at top and bottom, between the grooves 527. Another feed-bar 29 is like a small rectangular frame. with vertical side parts slidiugl'y occupying the grooves 27, and top and bottom parts in he spews left by the cutting away 0i thi' middle part '28 of the other teed-bar 24, and with the feces of these side and bottom parts corrugated and facing to the right along with the corrugated face of the feed her 24'.

This second teed-her 29 with its e0rrugated face in the throat Ed is yieldebly held over to the right by sma he i l upper springs 30, interposed between its top part and at bar 31, and similar springs interposed between its bottom end part and smell brackets 33 fixed to the side parts of the standard 13. Thus, when the throat 26 is otherwise empty, the corrugated face of this feed-bar 29 ill be against the bottom Wall of the throat channel. The Spring-retaining means in either example also loosely engnge the top and bottom ends of the feed-her 29 and prevent any material amount of u]: and down motion of this bar.

The first feed-bar S24 is elidahle up and down in the slot 12, up through \(llli'll lfiOlll feed-burs project. and has guides 34 on its left side. A presser-heml 35 is slidable toward and from the throat 26 on guides 313 011 the laed plate bottom, has a reetazngular opening 37 oeeupied by the cam 9, and has a socket 38 C(Hlt&l1llllg three small but stiff helical springs '39 compressed between its inner end and a small upright hearing-ha:- tfi of I-loeem cross seotion (Fig. 3) with one side in the soeket entrance and. with its flanges behind flanges t; extending in from the soeket sides, and with the other side oi this bearing-bar 4:0 against a wedge 42 in an nnright groove in the left side of this wedge 42. which Wedge is held between the guides 34: and beers on the surface 43 of the feedher 24 between these guides 34. which surface is inolined to the left from its top downward for a considerable didtaucr. This Wedge dials adjusted up and down by means of a screw mid 4e swiveled to its bottom by a pin to and passing down through an egve 16 fixed on the lower part f the teed lier 24. uith nuts 47 uleove and below the eye to fix the adjust ment. The s cket 38 has partitions 48 be tween and positioning: the several springs 39, Wliioh latter afford a strong, yet readily yi pressure, hotter th on would a single spring of equal strength. A tension spring): 49 (Fig. 1) is stretched from a. pin '50 on th dds of the teed-bar 24 at the rear, to a. pin 51 on the rear side of the presser-head 35;

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thus yieldably holding this head 35 and the feed-hair 24 and interi 'eninn' parts together, allowing them to yield apart or come together under the control of the springs 35% and allowingthe fee liar to he thus controlled whhe Sliding up and down relaiti'velv to the presser -hernl I35. This feed-hair 53 i is guided in this up and down movement by the sides of the slot in the be l-plate i, and h the sides of the throat 26.

This movem nt is ell'erted hy means oi' n. lever 313 'luloi'unn-nl on the loner end part of a leg 5 depending from the lwttmn t flu bfitl-1 ittl0 i in front of the tiQil-lnfi: his lever 52 heing PlVUlPL at the right of it;

fulernnn to the lower end part of the downward extension 5t oi the teed-l ar 24 and having at the left of its t'ul rnni 1: length Wise Slot 53 with a. hlovlz guided therein :n adjusted along the lever 52 hy a screw M i the end of the lever. This hloelr wakes in part of a pivotal Connection to the lower ent part of the eceentrie rod 57 having; it strep around the eccentric 8 on the shaft 5 as before described. This rod 57 eoniprises n middle seetion 59 threaded into the tin-mine? sections for adjusting the length oi the oncentric rod.

The mm 9 has its periphery nnnle up n? two opposite ser-tors oi unequal rmlius; thione ol greater rin'lins lining about i520 in e);- tent and the opposito one living: nhonl: Wu!" in extent. and the two hring joined lr; straight parts at their opposite ends, Thi cam 9 and the eccentric 8 sire so rehwtirrl positioned on the shaft 5 that l'l'lt wan 5-) wi l force the teedhar 24 to the right in the lever 52', actuated by the eeeentric 4, hegins to pull the feed-her 24 downward the open ing 37 ot' the presser-liend 35 heingg properly proportioned to (nine this eonetinn of the (inn therewith as the set-tor is? greater rmlhr swings up to the right. hen th shri it I? is going into the opposite hnll" fit its reroln tioni with the eceentrie 8 raising the feedlmr 24, the cum with this seetor ale-ting; against the left-hand side of the oneningr 3? acts, through the medium of" the tension spring; 49. to pull the teed-liar Q4 and the interposed parts to the left This n 'vnrs while the ((ventriv 9 is heginning its rai ins? aetion on thr Ft ll'ifll. Thnsf he move ments of the teed-inn 94 to let? ri t am rather rihrnpt reused h the :etrs it uh rnpt ehanges in radius of the mm X o enr during; the slowest part t H p ward and d wimnnl movements at the Ev -l har hr the eeeentr n l't'orrling an .zin n-n'xiinatel y tomwvny motion.

The lengthwise feeder ronmri -s :i guide lied 59 on the top oi the lied-plat 1 running along: the l'redqilete rnm the standa d 1 e: eonsidernhle listzinee to the left E lie grin per comprises a gripper-bar 60 whieh slides lengthwise of the guide-her] 59, This lid ing is z 'il'enterl h q the wit-ink W of the shaft 5 tlmuigh the medium 0! n pitinztn (i! pi oted to the r-rnnh' wrist and to a, rorh'er ti; bin rated in and delfieinling from the h l-nlnte l :1 pair of links (i pivoted on ogn n' ite i es of this rovlqer (f2 nenrer luiln middle oi" the ni ltfl'llhi (Fig. Al and to opposite si es nlthe lower enal nn-t n2" :1, lGY il' (i4 tnh- 1nne l n the hlthnnil end nnrt it the he l-plate 3 and exteinlii jlv-irenlwne n h n lengthwise slot. 65 guiding n hhn Hh as :nlinstwl along the lei'er hy :1 s ew (ST in the nnner end oi the lever 6t tllit n r-onwwrting l'fill i9 pivntel to the blot it find to t e lnit-hnnil end pnrt oi" lilitl g C-r-lwr Wt Thi (onneetiny rol (3R hes a m dd e sertion 35? t-(,i'i\\'tt'l into its terniinnl seetions or mljusting' the length in" the roll.

it ts rigl'it-hnnil endw the :ri ip-r-hnr (in iris the npner 55ii n' .lw If fived to it h;- 195-1115; 01' an art 1'"! extending: down to the left under the gTlPpQT-lm Will The lowe gripper-inn 72 has an arm T- QItQJtllHfj no to the lei t aeross the nnnei jnw I'f'In 1' L with n pivot 74: through hoth :n'nis Ti and 7 laws TO and rind their pivot 74- nzul I t inn-ts o! the arms Fl tit 3 pret rnl'ilr like m'rlinnry WPl lIIEHHVI'E p iers out of" whu'h they may" in l-u't. he made, h properly cutting and howling! the arms (n handles an the Pliers in lnrni th :i 'n s Ti and T 1 and snitnhlv lfi lhlli yllljf the nlier laws ns w ll he (lrsnril'ie'l.

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The lower-in :1 rzn T 5 enm'm up i'roni the pivot il-tiy'lfi with an upright pa t Fin d tn the right-hunt! end f the upper gripper-han- TE which ex ends smile distanee l the left over the lower ggrinper-har 60.

The jaw-opening meehnn sna r-rn-nn-ises :1 lWF-lllF-lifil' T6 th' t extends down through E! tint in the helllute it ninl s offset then l' elon to avoid th down-teed an'ezwr-lie nl whirh latte" lnu: its o we'r M1 there; (Fig. (hi and n rolle jien 'ni hwi. ti ns i'erselv in the 'l' rlcei'l lwnir eznl ol t iis lne" 76 (Figs. 4 :inr Til hours on th per nher of a nose-cum 7'8 fixed on the shaft 5 hetween the down-feed enrn 9 ard the ernnl: Hi. The nose T9 of this mm is snhstnntinliv radial to th slintt 5 on i s sid when t lrwiw-s :hr

roller 7 h !!'i lu ny' i'ninlml to ilw right of the i llli"! t hr in tin i iihchilie. as ii r iwi l i t e ei'i w in Fig It and the nnnosite :i r e el' t n' new a rathe :ihrn atchi te rwentrie to h haft. to i'nnirll rnir-v' the push lair 53 :is th nose niplonohes nrder th WWW T7. The middl of the hm T6. nh e ihe hml-nliite l is slotted tor {h s lover grippe -her 60 l: puss throngh it and permit the required in; mid down nxni'ei-ient of tlm he r Th: 21nd t iil er end n? t s im' iin i l lit fl strra 'll njf the nnpor gripiuwl 1 TEX ith :1 'oller RU jonrneled trensrersel, in the tori: members under said her 75. Al o this unper gripper {m nt bar is reerssed on its bottom. so that the roller 8%) contacts with a surfacithat recedes upward from both ends toward the middle. in a gradual curve, which is rather more abrupt at the left end. This piniherdiar in is guided in it up and down movement by guides 8i llXCl'l upright along opposite sides thereof, on the heibplatc l. The upper jaw itlhasa slight depending barb near its tip to enter a slit or slot in. the link and thus positively hold the link in addition to the gripping effect of the closed jaws. The lower jaw is shorter than the uppe jaw 70; its tip coining just behind the barb when the jaws close.

The link A used to exemplify the mach ne operation comprises a body 7) with two slots or slits w and (1 across its nsiddle. near its rigrht'cnd and its left end. respectively. and a tongue r ioined to its left end by a narrower neck the tongue (4 having; its free left end pointed. and the slit or slot a being; across the middle of this tongue 6 near said end. The chain 83 is made up of these links A by folding each link at its neck which. by proper location of the slits or slots 12, c and 1]. causes the slits or slots a and r] to register; and when this neck t on cupies the registering slits or slots 1/ and (I of the next preceding link in the belt or chain, the opposite end slit or slot (1 will be between and registering with these register ing slots or slits a and d. ll ith preceding links, thus joined, lying down along the throat 26. the last-asselnblml link will be doubled up with these three slits or slots thus registering. in the path of the gripper. where the links are pulled down into the throat through the entrance at the adjacent end of the guidwbed 59. Thus, the gripper moves to the right as just. before described. it passes through these three registering" slits or slots (1. c and (Z (l ig. and on its return motion as described. it draws the next link A through the slits or slots of said preceding: link: the parts being so adjusted that the gripper is released from the link at the instant that the neck 7 is half-way through the slits or slots. It is during the next right-hand stroke of the gripp r. during its approach to the pulled through link. that the dowul'ced mechanism. ctnnprising the l'eedbars ill and 29 and their o 'ierating elements as before described. pulls the completed part of the chain or belt down inst far enough to double this link up. due to pulling it into the throat 26. with its slits or lots I: and cl registering with the intervening slot. o l' the preceding link. ready for the next pulling-through 0peration of the gripper or lengthwise feeder mechanism.

As these links are usually very flexible, it is preferable to have means for supporting them when they are thus doubled up for the gripper to pass through to the right. and also when the next succeeding link is being pulled through, to the left. But the supporting means at the left must be out of the way of the gripper when the latter is passing through to the right; and the right hand supportinv means must be out of the way of the rigli -hand part of the link when the link is to double up with the left-hand part, as must also the left-hand supporting means be out of the Way of this rising lefthand part.

I provide for this by making; the left hand support as a slide-bar 84 guided to slide up and down on the left side of the standard 13, with a nose 85 on its lower end. inclined over toward the entrance to the throat 20 and having a middle recess in its tip for the passage of the gripper: the side parts 86 of the tip extending down to afford ample bearing against the link A at opposite sides of its slit or slot a when doubled up as before described. A shaft 87 journaled across the top part of the standard 13, and on this shaft. in the slot of the standard. are fixed short arms 88, with links 89 connecting these arms 88 to the upper end of the slide-bar 84. To the rear of the standard 13, the shaft 87 projects out and has fixed on it an arm 90, projecting to the left; and a connecting: bar 91 has a slot 92 along; it near its upper end. holding a wrist 93 fixed near the free end of the arm 90. the lower end part of this bar 91 being connected to the wrist of the crank 10 along with the pitnian 61 before described. The slot 92 is of such length and the other parts are so proportioned that the slide-bar 84 is slid down suddenly just as the gripper starts pulling the one link throui'h the other, and as suddenly pulled up during the opposite period of the gripper stroke. when the link must double up; the hand-wheel 6 being turned over to the left (or to the right of an operator at the front of the Ilia,- ehine) to cause this vcoaction.

I prefer to provide the right-hand support as a lever 94 having a middle fulcrum 95 in the standard 13, to swing in the slot of the standard. and having its lower end recessed at its middle to straddle the gripper and engage its side parts at oppos tr sides of the link slots or slits. It also pref erably has a small slide-plate 9.6 across the middle recess guided in a suitable arity in the lever. and yieldably held clown by a spring 97 compressed hetween its u )per end and the upper end of the cavity, 1; e latter being enlarged to receive the Spring with :1 shoulder 98 at the lower end of the tan largelncnt. against which engages a lug 9.9 on the slide plate 9.6 to limit the downwa,d movement of this late. Thus, the slideplate 96 can rise as to gripper passes there und r; a y keeping close to the uppe edge of the link slit or slot cl as the gripper passes therethrongh. The lower edge of this slit or slot is against the adjacent end of the throat 26. In this way, the link is supported practically entirely around its slit or slot d so as not to be distorted by the passage of the gripper therethrough. The upper end part of the lever 91 is pivoted to one end of a connecting member 100, the other end of which is pivoted to the upper end part of a post 101 fixed on the left end part of the gripper bar 60. This member 100 is made in two sections, screwed to ether. so that its length can be adjusted. hese connections cause the gripper bar to swing the lower end parts of the lever 94 down to the left as the gripper bar 60 advances, opposing these parts to the push of the gripper on the doubled-up link; and to swing these parts up to the right, out of the way, during recession of the gripper when the just pulled -through link must double up under the action of the downward or cross-feeding mechanism.

The construction of a belt is begun usually with a billet 102 (Fig. 1) having slits through which the first link XL is drawn. To permit ready insertion of this billet, as Well :is withdrawal of the completed belt, or for airy other purpose requiring release of the downeed mechanism, a short handle-lever ot; is 't'ulcrumeil on one side of the lower rm! part of the standard 1.3 and lies across and is pixoted to the lower end part of the iion-rcciprocating feed-bar 25'), so that pres sure to the right on the outer end or handle H14 of this lever draws the lower end of this feed -har 229 to the lei't, away from the chain or belt held by the feed-liar in the throat 26. The hand-wheel 6 is rotated so that the rei'eiprocating feed-bar 2-1 is drawn away from the chain or belt; and. these operations leave the chain or belt free to be readily withdrawn; or, at beginning, leave ample opening for insertion of the billet 102 up through the throat until the billet slots are above the upper end of the throat, ready to receive the first link A through the slots, according to the operation as has been described, To facilitate this insertion, 1 prel'er to provide an implement 105 (Fig. 7) comprising a strip 106 long enough to reach the entire length oi the throat 26, with a cross-piece 107 on its lower end part that engages with the lower end of the standard 111 and limits the upward extension of the strip to a point just below the path of travel ol the crossteed elements. On one face of this strip 101' is a gauge-piece 108, extendne up from the cross-piece 107. with its inner end recessed to receive the lower end of he billet 102; the recess preferably being approximately the same shape as the ,ol bi let end, and the extent of this 7 owner-piece 108 upward being such, in proportion to the billet length, as to cause the billet slots to come in the aforesaid path when the implement is stopped as just described. This implement is made of stiff material, as wood or metal; thus supporting the flexible billet for pushing the latter endwise up through the throat 26. Various implements of this kind may be furnished for billets of various shapes or lengths.

The intermediate. feeder 22 comprises a feed-block 109, slidable lengthwise of the machine, along the top of the magazine 14, on guides 110 fixed to the blocks 23 on the bed-plate 1 at the sides of the slot 11 as before mentioned, and extending in toward each other partly across the magazine (Fig. 10). Near its right-hand end, the block 109 has a finger 111 pivoted in it on a transverse pin and extending down through a slot in the block; and a short distance to the left, is a similar finger 112. similarly mounted. These fingers 111 and 112 are adapted to extend their lower tips slightly below the block bottom when their longer upper parts are swung to the left; and these upper parts have links 113 pivoted to them, so that they swing in unison. At the left end of the block 109, a third finger 114 is pivoted on a transverse pin near the block bottom, with the lower tip of the finger adapted to extend below the block bottom when the upper longer part of the finger is swung to the left; this part being connected to the other fingers 111 and 112 by a link 115, which latter is flanked by upwardly extending brackets 116 on the block top. A small beam 117 is fulcrumcd in the upper parts of these brackets 1 HS, with its left end against the upper part of the finger 114, and held to incline down to the left by a small tension spring 118; so that depression of its opposite or right end swings this finger 114, and with it the fingers 111 and 112, to extend their tips below the block bottom, as just described.

A long lever 119 is fulcrumed on the shaft 87 in the top part of the standard 13, and has its longer arm inclined down to the feedblock 109, with the lower end part of the arm slotted, so that side parts flank the feedblock brackets 116, with slots lengthwise of the arm, receiving respective opposite trunnions 120 fixed in the adjacent sides of the upper parts of the brackets 116. Just above its end slot, this arm has a bearing-block 121 fixed on it, in which is fulcrumed a short pusher-arm 122, depending therefrom and having a roller 123 journaled transversely in its lower forked end part, and held toward the arm or lever 119 by a small tension spring 124. These various parts are so proportioned that when the lever or arm 119 swings down to the left it slides the feed-block 109 bodily along the magazine top toward the throat 26, by the engagement of the trnnnions 120 in the arm slots; and

it also tilts the three fingers 111, 112 and 114 to extend their tips below the block bottom as before described, by the engagement of the roller 123 with the right end art of the beam 117. This actuation of t e fingers ceases when the roller 123 rides down over the end of the beam 11?, as permitted by the spring 124, when the upper part 01' the middle finger 112 has engaged a small stopscrew 125 threaded through the base of one of the brackets 116. Thus, the amount of the lingeigtip extension may be adjusted, for links of different thickness that are fed to the left off the pile in the magazine 14 by the engagement of the tips in the slots or slits of the links; the tips of the fingers 111, 112 and 114 engaging, respectively, in the slits or slots 0, d and a, and the flexible link being prevented from buckling up under the finger-tip pressure by the smooth bottom of the feedblock 109 sliding thereover. On return of this feed-block to the right, between feeds, the fingers are pushed back, withdrawing their tips, by a small spring 126 against the middle finger 112 around the stop-screw 125 and against the bracket 116. A lip-plate 127 slides in a recess very close to the bottom of the feed-block 109. across the left end thereof, and is held to the left by a spring 128 compressed between the inner end of the plate and the opposite end of the recess. which latter is enlarged to hold the spring. The finger 114 has a recess in its end through which the plate 12? passes with shoulders 129 engaging with side parts of the finger 114 (Fig. 10) preventing its escape from its guiding recess. The plate 127 is thus extended across the part of the link A to the left of the feed-block, to prevent buckling-up of this part before the block slides thereover, when the gripping device of the lengthwise feeder is advancing onto thispart of the initially fed link.

The mechanism just described has its parts so proportioned and adjusted that the pusher-bier 76 rises and elevates the llpPtt-l. gripper-bar 75 and swings the lower gripper-jaw 72 down away from the upper jaw immediately after the pointed ends of the jaws have into the slits or slots of the link A. doubled up in the upper end of the throat 26 as before described; and thus continues to open the jaws until the herb 82 lies passed into the nearest slit or slot a (it the top link A in the magazine 14: this link being initially fed to the left at the end of the jaw advance. by the intermediate feeder lleiore described. operated in the proper time by means of links 131.) with their lewe'r end partsplvoteil to levers 131 firh runied near their left ends on links 132 pivoted to the sides of the guide-bed and luivinfi a pivotal connection. shortly to the rililit of its fi'ilcrum. with the upper end part of the pusher-bar T6; the upper cud part of the link 130 having a lengthwise slot receiving a pin 133 fixed in the shorter arm of the long initial-feed lever 119, extending to the left from the fulcruming shaft 87 in the standard 13. The proportions of these parts, and the length of the slot of the link 130 being such that this intermediate feed ing is accomplished suddenly during this last stage of jaw advance, the opened jaws and the link approach each other. The lower jaw 72 is rather sharply tapered and shorter than the upper jaw, to come behind the barb 82 thereof. This lower jaw passes under the link while the upper jaw 70 passes over the link. until the barb S2 is over the slit or slot a. At this juncture the radial side of the cam nose 79 passes the roller 77, and the jaws are suddenly closed onto the link by the action of a tension spring 13-J- connected to the left 0nd part of the upper gripper-bar and to the lower gripper-bar 60 at one side. The degree to which the jaws close is limited by a stop-post 135 fixed in the lower bar 60 and engaged by the bottom of the upper bar 75; so that the jaws do not close too tightly on the link. The swinging of the feed-block 109 back to the righn after the link has thus been gripped, is effected by means of the connecting-bar 136, having its le'l't end part pivoted to an upward extension of the post 101, and this bar 136 having a lengthwise slot near its right-hand end. receiving: a pin 137 fixed in the upper free cud part of an arm 138 fixed to the long: lever 119; the length of this slot being such that the feed-block 109 is slid back during the last stage of the left-hand motionof the gripping device.

In this last stage. when the jaws have pulled the link A through to the right distance. as described for the first example, an engaging! screw 139 screwed to the left through a hi2 140 on the bottom of the up per gripper-bar Y5 engages with a trip 141 hun g between the members of a standard 142 that flank the guide-bed 59 and the gripper bars. this trip swinging on a transverse pin through. the members. just under the upper bar 7 and rising under the pressure of the engagement. thus raising the upper gripper-bar 75. which opens the jaws and relefiscs the link. ready to double up as drawn down into the throat 26 by the cross fbeding or down-feeding mechanism. as be fore described.

As the lower jaw 72 swings down as it passes through the doubled-up link 1L :1 lower receding right-hand support is desirable. to prevent l'uu-kl'lnpf of the link material jiist below its slots or slits. This is provided by continuing the recess of the staiidml sonic di tant-e below 1hr? top of the maxim ziue 14. and mounting therein a shiall bar 145% pre sed up by s 'irings 1 3 4. and haviuu' its upward motion limited by side pins 1-15 tone-nos I; with their separate barbs it? in slots in the recess sides (Figs. 8 to 13), yielding downwardly under the pressure of the downwardly opening lower jaw 72 and rising again as the jaw closes. The guidebed 59 is terminated some distance to the leiit oi the standard 13, with the jaws and jaw arms overhanging it, so that the latter are free to swing; and the lower lett-hand support for the link A when upturned in the throat 26 is afforded by the bar 31, previously mentioned. which has its top suitably rceessed to permit the passage and swinging of the lower gripper-jaw 72.

in the modification of Figs. 14. and 15, the primary feeder comprises, instead of the single sliding magazine 14, four such magzr zines 14, substantially the same as the one of the other example. but set in a turret-plate 16].. at equal intervals therearound; the plate 161. turning in a circular opening in the modified bed-plate l", with an upper annular shoulder 162 down on the bed-plate top and with cleats 163 up against the bedplate bottom. The periphery of the turretplate '16]. has four notches 164.- atequal intervals thercaronnd; and a dog 165.. sliding in lugs 166 on the bed-plate top at one cor nor, enters any one of these notches nder the pressure of a spring 167. The guides for the feed-block 109 are on the standard l3. overhanging the turret-plate iii}. and the notches 164 are so related to the magazines 14 that at each stop one oi the m agazines is registered under the feed-bloel-z M9. for feeding the links therefrom. 'lhns. exposed magazines 1.4. can be filled while the machine is taking links from the registered magazine. A retaining element 168 is fork-shaped. with its prongs to go through openings 169 in the sides of the magazine It across the top of the pile of links there in. to prevent these from rising out of the magazine as pressed up by the follower U; such an element being thus inserted in each magazine as it is filled. to be withdrawn when the magazine has passed under the teed-block 109, after which this retains the inks. as before described.

Any of the links B, C or I) of Figsv 18. 20 and 22. respectively, may be assembled by properly adjusting the operating parts of the machine. as will be described. The link h, oi Figs. 31- and .25. with two tongues It. eaeh having a separate slit or slot (1, requires a changing or" the gripper device. This is provided for by making the jaw arms 71 and T3 readily detachable from the gripper-laws 60 and 75. as by being screwed thereto as shown. This allows the arms 13 and 135 of the double jaws 132 and 134 (Fig. 2G) to be similarly attached to the bars 60 and T5. respectively. Thus. the separate jaws 132 and 134' grip the respective ii the IOSPCiTiiVL. slits or slots a.

it will be seen that although the number of slots or slits in the various links of Figs. it to 25, inclusive, varies. from tour in Figs. 20 and 21 to only two in i i rs. 22 and 23. or only two transversely alired pairs in the double-toothed linir ot i igs. 22 i and 2F. the factors governing thei as emb e: lo the machine are the distances of he adia ent HlltS or slots from the nerk oi the h'nlt, (if course the additional siits or slots. it anv. must registeri 1th the proper slit or slot 5% these two; but th s is a roatter of link design. the lengthwise feeder barb engages in the first left-hand slit or slot. as ot Fi 16. a of Fig. 2%. or o". or w of Firs. ill, 20 or 22, respectively. and trans fat enough to the left to stop the net-k f of Fig: '16. f of Fig. 24. or the neck f". f hr f of the other three. over the throat 26. and the crossteeding or down-feeding means draws down tar enough to bring the next rea'isterin slits or slots a and i of Fig. It}. /i and of Fig. 24. or a and d", r and and d and d respectively. of Fig. 550. or I) and t oi Fig. 52:2. in the path of the lengthwise feeder gripper at the next stroke thereof, then the -isselnbly will be accomplished by the machine. It will Further be seen that many other designs oi links mar he used providing thes conditions are met. i

The cross-i -selling or down-feeding ad instnient is made'hy settingthe connez-tion ot the lever 52 and eccentr c rod 5i tUVilitt or away tron: the lever iidcruni. he means oi the screw 5H; and the teed-bar 2 1 is caused to stop its upward siroioalways at about the same height with r m length ol' stroke. in. lcn rtlieniog or shortening the eveniri rod 5? by means oi its m ddle, section The lengthwise feeder :oijnstment is Latttifi by similarly settino' the ronneet of the lever (5% and gripper'har ronnert .i'j rod "68 toward or away from the lever tulciazm. and properly length ning or horienin the connet-ting: rod (19 by means of the m1 the 14ertion 69.

The jaw opening at the left end of the gripper stroke is made earlier or later or adiusting the trip-engaging screw 1- in the left or right. The right-hand cle -ore oi the gripper needs no adjustment in this r soert; the magazine. eorrespiniding: in the iixagz aine M or ii. being properly dezii greil n hold the particular different had: so that the laiter properly interwediately ted to the gripper. wh h is stopped alway at about the same point at the rigy it rod 0 the stroke. by yirtue oi the adjustment oi the c nnecting: rod 68 as before nieutioneii. The many amines are rem renmva ie. SW k i the use: azine it or iiinrality of orient/doe it". with interior e .""ormin;1' to ti parti :ilar lini: desil'ii. mar be subs u d: the lint-eontriini rg hollow interior o be magaz ne iii}- ing the poper distance from the lett end Hit) of the magazine that comes adjacent to the sta irluril 13.

links of al tlereut thirknesses are accomlililtl 1i by mailing the projection of the iuteriueuietely lee-ling; lingers ill. 11L and 114 less or greater by means of the stop mirror-x lLS, {Lliil lllillillig the jaw vlosure more or lws munplete by means of the adjustable stop-post 135, and by lei-wring or raising the u-oilgi'e 42 to cause the cross-feeding or siouu eiling bur to vary the amount of lie approach to the right.

The right-hand supporting lever 9 is properly adjusted by means oi? the screwedon rightlieiul termiuel part of the connectizw' member 100.

1 irritation of thick "less of links of the same ot is prevented from resulting in damage to i e iimohiue or to the links by meens of the urelity of Sillllll but stitl springs 39 beeon the weil ljo 4:2 and presser heed 35. Operetta/l.- lhe proper edjustu'ients for any particular link having been made as just eleseril'ieri, a. supply oi links suiiieient to uuike one belt are phu-ei'i in the magazine :4 or in ew-h magazine 14", and brought to :lho lei't thereim clear to the stsinllaril lZl.

billet 102 is inserted by means of the inileiuent 1H5 until its slit or slo! is in the with oi the lenglhwise [eoiler grij'uier; thev l-rosl-i-ieeliug or elowirfeeiling menus being \i'tKilPll by nicflilt; of the lever lllil with the halal-Wheel i3 rotated to it point ill uhieh the gripper will'ulruui'i :iuu from ihe throat ii; :iiul whereby the prose treilin z or LlOWllfouling bur El is withilm W11 from the throat will peririiltiu; l'ree sliding of the billet up through the throat.

lipou turning the heed-wheel ll to the right oi the operator ill the l'rout of the machine. the leiigth riee feeder element is projected o the right (re-er View) through the billet; after which the linking process will proceed incident to the eoaotlon of the uuuhine parts as long its there are links in the amigazine Eillll as long as the hand-wheel is turned. Sucre 11g links are led up by the follower 17 as fast as the top links are Withdrawn.

The iillplLl'lii'i't 1G5 inserted with the bile let to begin the operation tell KlUW'll ulorg \xii'h the ruivair-uslxe urt oi the bell llii l \ililiss out upon lozu'hiug iho iii. er i-iul of the ihrmit. ill; it, heiug uuilersloaul thiit the springs 39 ieriui'l this extra thii-knelw to he fell liloug with the bell by ihe llorcnteeil llltCllLliilSlll. :is :lrsurl a :il'ler \Ylllv'll the reiihtiiuior o'l' ilu belt is roll in that rung.

The crank ll :ulvzluriw the gripper jinn in rinsed r'nllllliiml. through the bill? or link elit or sl t. to the right, iluru'i g the upper lxzil o? the vinuik swing: and the nose T?) of the rum 1% lhrlz-ug h the ma wr-Uar Til noting i iet the rewree l lower sirle swings the lower jaw T2 (lowuwuril (Fig. lei), while the intermediate feeder, uetuuteil through the bar 130 engaging the lower (lhl of its slot with the pin H53 just at the eml of the right-hand gripper travel, quickly advances the top link from the ma within reach of the open jaws. lipplate is engaged by the upper jaw T0 and pushed back into the feed-block 109 as the jaw and block approach; thus prevent ing the link from buckling upward eni insuring that it is inserted between the jaws. The approach stops as the barb S2 of the upper jaw enters the slit or slot (1 (Rig 15.) it about the same instant, the cum nose 79 passes from under the pusher-her TC, and the spring 134 suddenly closes the jaws; while the crank 10 is just going into its lower halt-circle and beginning to pull the jaws to the left.

During the right-hand travel of the jaws the right-hand supports, 94 above and lit; below. eoaet with the lengtl'iwise feeder gripper: the plate 96 and the bar 1%?) fol lowing the inrlinvs of the upper and lower jaws, respective] Also, on the return stroke, the left-hand support 84 is sliil (lOWIl.

Near the end of the right-hand travel of the lengthwise feeder grippers, the trip ill, engaged by the sore 139, raises the upper gllPjJUFllfll' T5, lmrering the lower jaw il. so that the link Hilly puss (lOWD null disengage from the burl; 8; unrler the notion of the tlmvu-l'eeil inerhuuism, which has now begun to operate; the vein 9, swinging up to the ri ghlg pushing feethbnr Ell against the billet or links so far ussorubleih which were held up by ieeCl-l'izir 29 (Fig, L) while erreutrii? S is passing its loweet point. This downward motion oi the left enrl oi the link will he only slight and momentary (Fig. ll i-lfi'il' which the continued operation oi the down-feeding or cross-teeiling means, (luring continued travel of the lengthwise feeder grippers liwuv from the link. will fold the link upwerkl, permitted by the right and left hanrl supports receding there'lj'rou'i (Fig. 12,) and a' completion of the downward or cross feed, as the eecentrio 8 passes its highest. point will result in the parts of the link being brr'vugjht together in upright position with their apertures or slits or slots registering mul the gripper again zi 'iprrmching to pass through these apertures (Fig. Quirk return of the *t'eedblork M39 is musi-ll by the bar 1313 engzigingr the right-hand end of its slot with the pin 13? in the arm 135w ot the lever U9.

The operation of the ilouhle grippers (Fig. QGl will he riaulerstooi'l to be przu'tirally the euuun drawing the two ilisl'inrt tongues F of :1 link ll (Fig. through 1 0- spertii'e ilistinrt slits or slots of RPEHIHTQS a of the glreeerling link, folded up as was (lescribed tor the other links. Likewise with any similar link oi differentilcsign or di- Inensions; the machine beingadjusted accordingly as before described.

Where only a single magazine 1-1 is used. it is necessary to delay operation of the machine to refill the magazine lor the next belt; but with the turret combination oi Figsv l-l and 15 three magazines may be tilled while the machine is rccciring from the fourth. Thus the machine may run continuous y, and a single operat r may tend several machines; the only attention to the supply being that of shifting the next lillcd magazine Ll under the internuuliute feeding device 22, and filling; the (liljilfiil magazines as opportunity a'tlorii at some time before all become exhausted.

Also, the belt or chain may be made iii any required length by briefly stopping the machine and shifting in a newly lillcd anagazinc hcl'orc th current one is ljilltllifitill. Ur as will he uuilersto-lul. the capacity m" a magazine may be increased by increasing its depth. for which there is ample space below the right-hand end of the ma rhino. Such belt or chain of great length nuiy thus be supplied as stock material from which any desired length may be out, for use as cords, braids, or for any purpose where a flexible chain-like or ornamental fabric may be desirable.

The apertures or slits or slots of the apertured link elements are illustrated as open slots made by removing a part of the material of substantial width to form each one but these may be formed by merely cutting the material along" a single line lor the required distance, forming 'n'luri; may he more properly termed a slit, and the mechanism will engage its hook or ha bi in either example, in such a slit and function as has been described. Also. it is found in practice that the lengthwise feeder element will penetrate an unslitted 0r nnslotted link el ment disposed across its path, and the barb 82, with the cooperation of the lower gripper jaw. will make efl'ectual tractire engagement with the succeeding link element to pull it through the aperture formed by the penetrating lengthwise feeder element. Such an oprn'ation. with link elements not having apertures previously Formed; oi course produces less presentable belts or chains where no special provision is made for insuring cleauness of cut oi the penetrating: element; but is usel'nl l or some purposes.

The machine is disclosed as hand-operated. but it will be obvious that a suitable operative connection for power operation may be added, or substituted for the hand-operating means.

Numerous other modifications are po sible, within the scope of my invention, to

meet different conditions or rcquirenients and therefore, while certain constructional details are deemed preferable in connection with my invention, and 1 have shown and described these rather specifically in elucidating the construction and use of my invention, as is required, I do not wish to be understood as being limited to such precise showing and description but having thus fully described my invention,

Vhat I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a machine ol:' the character described. a single prin'iary l'eeiler for successively feeding link elements into a path in an initial posture. a lengthwise feeder having an action successively advancing said link elements along said path and maintaining said initial posture of the link elements, cross-feeding means having; an action disposing each thus advanced link element directly 'lroin said initial posture into a posture to xtend. across said path during ll e advanciof the next link clcnunt along said path l'roni said single primary feeder, and mechanism coordinating said actions of said lengthwise feeder and said crosslceding means.

2. In a machine of the character do scribed a single primary feeder for successively feeding link elements into a path in an initial posture, a lengthwise feeder haw inc an action successively advancing said link elements along said path and maintaining said initial posture of the link elements, an intermediate feeder having an action succcssircly initially advancing: said link ele ments along said path from said prii'nary coder to said lengthwise feeder, cross-feeding means havirn. an action disposing each time advanced link element directly from said initial pmtnre into a posture to extend across said path during the iulrance oi the next link element along said path from said single primary feeder; and mechanism coordinating said actions of said intermediate and lengthwise feeders and said cross-teeding means.

In a machine of the character described. a primary feeder tor snm-cssircly feeding link elements into a path, a lengthwise feeder having: an action sucwcssircly advancing; said link elements along: said path. an intermediate 'l oeder havingan action successively initially advancing said link elements alone said path from said primary feeder to said lengthwise lei-drip cross-feeding}: means having an action disposing each thus :ulranced link element into a posture in extend acro;--;s sail! path during the advance oi the net-1t link element alone said path, and mechanism coordinating said actions of said intermediate and lengthwise feeders and said cross-feeding means.

4. In a machine of the character described. a primary teeiiler for successively feeding link elements into a path. a lengthwise feeder having an action successively advancing said link elements along said path. cross-feeding means having an action disposing each thus advancing; link element into a posture to extend across said path during the advance of the next link element along said path. mechanism coordinating said actions of said lengthw'se feeder and. said cross-feeding means, and means for varying the relative range of action of said lengthwise feeder and said cross-feeding means.

5. In a machine of the character described, a primary feeder for successively feeding link elements into a path, a length wise feeder having an action successively advancing said. link elements along said. path. cross-feeding means having an action disposing each thus advanced link element into a posture to extend across said path during the advance of the next link element along said path. mechanism coordinating said actions of said lengthwise feeder and said cross-feeding means, and means for disposing a first element across said path to he assamloled with said link elements.

6. In a machine of the character descrihcii. a primary feeder for successively feeding link elements into a path. a lengthwise feeder having an action success vely advancing said link elements along said path. cross-feeding means having: an action disposing each thus advanced link element into a posture to extend across said path during the advance of the next link element along; said path. means additional to said c oss feeding means for tcnipoiairil supporting: the thus disposed link element during said advance. and mechanism coordinating said actions of said lengthwise feeder and said cross-feeding means.

7. In a machine of the character described. a priu'iarv feeder for successively advancing;- link elements into a. path. a lengthwise feeder having an action successively adxrnu ing sa d link elements along said path. crossl'ceding means having an action disposing cach thus advanced link element into a posture to extend across said path during the advance of the next link eicmcul along said path. mechanism coordinating? said ac tions of said lengthwise feeder and sa d cross-feeding means. and means for ilispos ing a first element across said path. through raid cross-feeding means. to he nsscml h-d with said link elements.

3. in a machine of the character described. a primary feeder for successively advancin link elements into a path. a lengthw se feeder having an action successively advancing said link elements along said path. crossfeeding means having an action disposin each thus advanced link element into 21 posture to extend across said path during; the advance of the next .iink element along sa d path. mechanism ('(Jtlltiilltlilllg said actions of said lengthwise feeder and said cross-feeding means. means for varying the range of action of said lengthwise feeder. and means for varying the range of action of said cross-feeding means.

9. In a machine of the character d escrihed. cros -feeding means having; an action successively disposing preceding link elements at a substantial angle to respective next succeeding elements. a lengthwise l'ccilcr having an action to penetrate said preceding elements and to return therethrough with said succeeding elements. and mechanism coordinating said actions of said cross-feeding means and sa d lengthwise feeder.

10. in a machine of the character de- -('l"lll'tl. cross-feeding means having an action successively folding preceding link elements into position at a substantial angle to respective next succeeding elements. a lengthwise feeder having, an action to penetrate the folds of said preceding elements and to return through said folds with said succeeding" elements and mechanism coordinating said actions of said cross-feeding means and said lengthwise feeder.

ll. In a machine of the character tie-- scrihed. in which link elements are successively supplied from a. single source in an initial posture, cross-feeding means having an action successively disposing; preceding link elements directly from said posture into a posture to extend at a suhstantial angle to rmpect ve next succeeding link elements. a iengz thwise feeder having;- an action to penetrate said preceding: elements and return thcrethrougrh with said succeeding elements. and mechanism coordinating said actions of said cross-feeding means and said lengthuise feeder.

12. in a machine of the character dc- Mllllttl. in which link elements are successively supplied from a single source in an initial posture. cross 'l eediug means havinsi' :lll action successively folding preceding; link elements directly from said init al posture into a posture to extend at a suhstantial amide to respective ncxt succeeding link clemcuts. a lengthwise feeder having: an action to penetrate the f lds of said preceding ric merits and return through said folds with mid sicrccdiug elements. and me han sm iooi'd uatiug said actions of said cross-feedilf'. means and said lcueitinvise feeder.

ii. in a machine of the character d s l-ihed. in which link elements are succesirelv supplied from a. single source in an initial posture. cross-feeding means having an action successivelv d sposing: precedin; l nk elements directl from said initial postuvc into :i posture to extend at a substantial angle to l'PsplFCiiYt nerct succeeding link elelltl Ill)

uieuls. :l lengthwise l'ceder comruisiug a pro icction and having an action to penetrate said preceding" elements and to engage said projection with said succeeding elements and to return through said preceding elements with said succeeding elements, and mechanism coordinatiing said actions 0t said crossl'eedine' means and said lengthwise feeder.

ll. in a. machine of the character descrihed. in which link elements are successively supplied from a single source in an initial posture. croes-teeding means having an a tion successix'ely disposing preceding link elements directly from said initial posture into a posture to extend a substantial angle to respective next succeeding link ele went: a lengthwise feeder comprising a gripper and having an action to penetrate said preceding elements and to grip said succeeding elements and to return through said preceding elements with said ucceeding elements. and mechanism coordinating said actions oi said croesdeedinp; means and said lengthwise feeder.

15. In a machine of the character descril ed. in which link (lOlfitl'llS are suceessivelr supplied from a single source in an initial posture. crroszs-l'ecdin z means having an action successively disposing preceding: link elements directl from said initial posture into a. posture to extend at a substantial angle to respective next succeeding linl: olelncnts. a lengthwise feeder comprising a gripper with a projection and having an action to penetrate said preceding elements and to grip sai 'l succeeding elements and engage said projection with said succeeding elements and to return through said preceding: elements with said succeeding eleinei'its. and mechanism coordinating said actions at said cross-feeding means and said lengthwise feeder.

iii. In a machine of the character descrihcd. crossdeeilinn means having an action succcssirel disposing preceding link elements at a suhstantial angle to respective next succeeding: link clcnronts. a lengthwise t'cedcr comprising a proiection and having an action to penetrate said preceding elements and to engage said projection with said succeeding elements and to return through said l u'crrding' elements with said succccdingg' eleuuuts. and mechanism coordinating said actions it said crossdrw ing means and said lensrll'iwise feeder.

IT. in a machine of the character de- .--:c1il ed. cross-teedhnr means having an action successively disposing preceding linl: elements at a substantial angle to respective next succeeding link elenlents. a lengthwise feeder having: an action to penetrate said preceding elements and to return therethrough with said succeeding" elements. mechanism coord nating said actions o'l' said cross-feeding means and said lengthwise l'cedci. and means lor \uanring; the relatinranges of action of said cross-feeding means and said lengthwise feeder.

11%. In a machine of the character de scribed. a structure haring' a throat. gripping means having a feeding action along a path across said throat, gripping: means nga l'eedinp; action along said throat awaw, from said path, and means to impart the re: spective feeding actions.

19. In a. machine of the character described. a structure having a throat. a guideway on said structure at a substantial angle to said throat. traotive means guided in said ,c'uidcwa across said throat. inc-ans ciprocatingy said tram-tire means. acres throat. means having a feeding action along said throat away troin said anideway. and means for imparting: this leedii'n action.

25 In a machine of the cha actor described. 21 structure having a throat. means having a. feeding action alone a. path across said throat. means having a feeding action alongsaid throat away from said path. means to impart the respective feeding actions. and a magazine feeding upward into said path near the plane of meeting of said path and said throat.

21. In a machine of the cliaracteW-deecrihed. a structure having a throat. means having a feeding action along a path across said throat. means having a feeding; action alone said throat away from said path. means to impart the respective feeding actions. a magazine feeding into said path near the place oi meeting of said path and said throat. and a self-adjusting follower in said magazine. acting at a substantial angle to said path.

22. In a machine of the character described. a structure having a threat. means having a feeding action along a path across said throat. means lntving. a :l'eedine' action along said throat away from said path. means to impart the respective feeding actions. supporting means for the material operated upon by the machine, to approach and recede from the place of meeting of said path and said throat in sequence to said 'l'ced ing actions. and mechanism to cause the approach and recession of said supportiinr means as aforesaid.

23. in a machine oi. the character described. a structure having a throat. a lengthwise feeder having a feeding action along; a path across said throat. means having a Feeding action along said throat away from said path. means to impart the respective feeding: actions. supporting means for the material operated upon by the machine. to approach and recede from the place of meeting of said path and said throat in synchronism with the feeding actions and means operati el r eon. necting said lengthwise feeder to said supporting means to cause the approach and recession of said supporting means as aforesaid.

24. in a machine of the character described, av structure having: a throat, means i avin r a feeding action along a path across said throat, HlQEtIlS having a feeding action along said throat away from said path, means to impart the respective feeding actions. a plurality of supporting means for the material operated upon by the machine, distinct from each other. to approach and rccede from the place of meeting of said path and. said throat at different stages of said feeding action along said path, and iucrdnuiisan to cause he approach and recession of the respective supporting means as aforesaid.

In a machine of the character described. a structure having a throat, a lengthwise feeder having a feeding; action along a path across said throat. means havin; a feeding action along said throat away i'roin said path, a shaft. operative connections from said shaft to the respective means. whereby said shaft imparts the respective feeding action. a plurality of supporting means for the material operated upon by the machine, distinct from each other, to approach and recede from the place of uicetiiur, of said path and said throat at different stages of the feeding" actions. an operative connection from said shaft to one of said supporting: means. and an operative connection from said lengthwise feeder to the other one of said supporting means, to cause the approach and recession of the respective supporting means as aforesaid.

iii. In a machine th r araeter do merit-ed. a structure having: a. throat. a lengthwise feeder having a feeding action alone a path across said throat. cross- 'cedingy means having a feeding: action aloru. said throat avay from said path, a shaft, means operativelv connecting said shaft and said cross feeding: means, to impart the cross-feeding action, a crank on said shaft, moans opcratively connected to said crank and to said lengthwise feeder, wh reby said crank imparts said feeding action along" said path. a plurality of supportiuo' means for the material operated upou hy the machine. distinct from each other. to approach and recede from the place of meeting; of said path and said throat at different stages of the feeding actions. an operative connection from said 1-H} n k in one of said supporting means. and an operative connection from said lengthwise feeder to the other one of said supporting means. to cause the approach and recession ofthe respective supporting means as aforesaid.

21in a machine of the character described, a structure having a throat, a

lengthwise feeder having, :1 feeding action along a path across said throat. means having a feeding): action along said throat away from said path, means to impart the respective feeding actions, and supporting means for the material operated upon by the machine, yieldahly engaging said lengthwise feeder near the place of meeting of said path and said throat.

28. T11 a machine of the character descril'ied. a structure having a. throat. a lengthwise feeder having a feeding; action along a path across said throat. means having a feeding action along said throat away from said path, means to impart the respective feeding actions, supporting means for the material operated upon by the machine, to approach and recede from the place of meeting of said path and said throat in sequence to said feeding: actions, and mechanism to cause the approach and r cession oi said supporting;- means as aforesaid, said supporting means yieldchi engaging said lengthwise feeder near said place of meeting of said path and said throat.

29. In a machine of the character desi-rihed, a structure having a throat. means having a feeding action along a path across said throat, means having a feeding action along said throat away from said path. means to impart the respective feeding actions. and a magazine to supply material to said path mounted to move toward or away from the place of meeting of said path and said throat.

30.1n a machine of the character deserihed. a. structure having a throat, means having; a feeding action along a path across said throat. means having a feeding action along said throat away from said path. means to impart the respective feeding actions. a. magazine to supply material to said path near the place of meet of said path and said throat. a follower in said magazine, acting at a substantial angle to said path. and means over said magazine opposed to the action of said follower.

31. lo a machine of the character described. a structure having a throat. means having a feeding action along a path across said throat. means haviue a. feeding action along: said throat away from said path. means to impart the respective feeding: aw lions. a magazine to supply material to said path near the place of meeting of said path and said throat. a follower in said magazine, acting at a substantial angle to Said path. means over said magazine. opposed to the action of said follower. and means whereby said magazine is movable away from this opposing means and away from said place of meeting.' of said path and said throat.

32. In a machine of the character descrihcd, a strnsl are having a throat, a. lengthwise 'i'ccdcr having a 't'eei'ling action along a path across said throat, means to impart said feeding action, a 'l ccd-har in said throat, and means to reciprm'ate said teed-har along; said throat in seipicniai to said lengthwise tccdc-r action.

Skin :1 machine oi the character dcscrihcd, a structure havinga throat, a length-- wise t'ccder having a feedingaction along; a path across aid throat, a shaft, an operative connection from said shaft to said length wise 'f cdcr, an eccentric and a cam on said shai't. a iced-liar in said throat an opcrativc (IHJHtEPl'iOIl from said eccentric to said icedhar Whcrchjc sai ccccntrii' rcciproratcs said l ccddiar along said throat, and an opcrativo connection 'l inll'i said rain to said iecd-har \vliereh said can: rc ii n' ratcs said l'ecd-har across said throat.

In a. machine of the rharnelrl' dcscrihcd, a structure having a threat. a lengthwise feeder having: a feeding action along: a path across said throat, means to impart said lengthwise tecdcr action, a fecddmr in said throat, means to reciprocate said l'ccd-har along said throat in sequent-c to aid. lcng'thwise feedcr action, and nn-ans to reciprocatc said i'ced-har across said throat near the respective ends oi the rcciprm-ation along the throat.

35.111 21 machine of the character dcscrihcd, a. structure having a throat, a lengthvise feeder having a feeding action along a path across said throat, means to impart said lengthwise i'cedcr :wtim. a toad-liar in said hroat, means to rcciprocate said feed-ha along said throat in siapience to said lengthwise feeder action, and a second teedhar yield-ably pressed across said throat hut prevented from material movement along said throat.

3G. in a. machine of the cimracter de scribed. a structure having a throat, a lengthvvisc iccder having a feeding action aiong a path across said throat, means to impart said lengthwise feeder action, a tced-har in said throat, means to reciprocate said feedhar along said throatin sequence to said lengthwise feeder action, and means yieldahlv connected to said 'l'eed-har to reciprocate said feed-halacross said throat near the, respective ends oi the reciprocation alongilic throat.

17.11! a machine of the character dcscrilaai, a structure having a throat, a lcngtlr wise lccdcr having a feeding action along a path acres, said throat, means to impart said. lcngy thwise feeder action, a t'cci'l-har in said throat, means to reciprocate said trial-her along said throat in sequence to said lengthwise t'ceder action, and inc-ans comprising a cushion element, conncctcl in said 't'cod har to rcciprocatc said iced-ha across said throat near respective ends of the reciprocation along the throat.

538. in a machine of the character descr bed, a. structure having a throat, a length \YIH ieei'ier having a feeding action along a path aiia'oss said throat, means to impart said lengthwise feeder action, a feed-bar in said throat. means to reciprocate said he l-luir along said throat in sequence to s:-id lcngthwise feeder action, and means comprising a cushion element, yielda-hly conncctcd to said feed-bar to reciprocate said iced-her across said throat near respective cons of the reciprocation along the throat.

'39. in a. machine of the character i(- swihcd, a structure having a throat, a shaft, an ccccntl'ic and a cam on said shaft, a iecdha:- in said throat, an operative connection from said eccentric to said teed-bar whereby aid eccentric reciprocates said feed-bar dong said throat, and an operative connec- Lion from said cum to said teechhar Where iv said cam reciprocates said feed-bar across t 1 said throat.

i In a machine of the character described, a structure having a throat, a shaft, an eccentric and a cam on said shaft, a feedhar in said throat, an operative connection ruin sa d 0; centric to said feed-bar whereby mid eccentric reciprocate-s said feed-bar a one said throat, and an operative COIlIlBtF [ion to said cam yieldably connected to said i'ecddiar whereby said cam reciprocates said 51 m hi all across said throat.

41. In a machine of the character described, a structure having; a. throat, a shaft, an ccccntric and a. cam on said shaft, a feedhar in said throat, an operative connection from said eccentric to said feed-bar whereby said eccentric reciprocates said feed-bar aiongg said throat, and an operative connection to said cam comprising a cushion element. connected to said feed-bar whereby said cam reciprocates said feed-bar across said throat.

52. In a machine of the character dcs-raihod, a structure having a throat, a shaft, an eccentric and a cam on said shaft, a feedhar in said throat, an operative connection from said eccentric to said fced-har whereby said eccentric TOCiPIOL'ELlLGS said Feed-bar along said throat, and an operative connection to said cam comprising :1 cushion eh nient. vicldahly connected to said i'ccddiar whereby said cam reciprocates said tecd'liiar across said throat.

43. In a machine of the character dcscrihcd, a structure having a throat, a shaft, an eccentric and a cam on said shaft, a feedhar in said throat, an operative connection irom said eccentric to said feed-bar wherehv said eccentric reciprocates said feed-bar along said throat, an operative connection from said cam to said l'eed-l'iar \vhcrchy said 

